Alveoli and Gas Exchange Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What are alveoli?

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange happens.

What is meant by gas exchange in the lungs?

It is the swap of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This swap is between the air in the alveoli and the blood.

How does oxygen move from the alveoli into the blood?

Oxygen diffuses from the air in the alveoli into the blood. It moves from a high concentration to a lower concentration.

How does carbon dioxide move from the blood into the alveoli?

Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air in the alveoli. It moves from a high concentration in the blood to a lower concentration in the air.

How do thin walls of the alveoli and capillaries help gas exchange?

The thin walls give a very short distance for gases to diffuse. This makes gas exchange fast.

Why is it useful that there are millions of alveoli in the lungs?

Many alveoli give a large surface area. This lets more gas diffuse at the same time.

Why is a good blood supply around the alveoli important?

A good blood supply keeps blood moving past the alveoli. It keeps a steep concentration gradient so diffusion stays fast.

Why are the surfaces of the alveoli moist?

The moist surface helps oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolve. This makes it easier for them to diffuse across the wall.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is when particles spread out. They move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration.

How is a high concentration of oxygen in the alveoli kept during breathing?

Breathing brings in fresh air with a lot of oxygen. Blood flow takes oxygen away from the alveoli, so the blood always has less oxygen than the air.